Els vells

Ignasi Iglesias (1871-1928)

Approximate level: B2
Length: 24,849 words
Reading time: 2 h 4 min
Chapters: 63
Language: Catalan
On Project Gutenberg since: 2025

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Adapted version, about A2

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This play by Ignasi Iglesias explores the daily lives and struggles of the elderly in early twentieth century Catalonia. The dialogue is natural and conversational, reflecting the domestic setting of the characters. While the vocabulary is accessible and rooted in common household activities, the text features colloquial expressions and contractions typical of the era. It is an excellent choice for learners who want to practice reading informal, spoken Catalan while engaging with themes of aging, poverty, and family dynamics.

260 downloads on Project Gutenberg

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Subjects

Catalan drama

Questions about this book

What level of Catalan do I need for this book?

The estimate is B2, based on how common the words are and how long the sentences run. It is an approximation, not a test result. With a translation under every sentence you can start one level earlier than you would with a paper copy.

Is this book really free?

Yes. The text is in the public domain and comes from Project Gutenberg, so it costs nothing. In Lingo7 you open the book and read the first page for free; a subscription unlocks the whole library, the audio and the word practice.

How does reading with a translation work?

Lingo7 shows the original sentence and, right under it, the same sentence in your language. Tap a word to see what it means, hear it, and save it for practice. The translation is made while you read, so it works for any book and for 50 languages.

How long does it take to read?

About 2 h 4 min at a native pace, spread over 63 chapters. In a foreign language plan for more: half an hour a day finishes a book of this size in a few weeks.

Is there an easier version of this book?

Yes, in the Lingo7 app. Next to the original, you can add an adapted version that tells the same story of Els vells in simpler words and shorter sentences, at about A2 level. It is made with AI from the public domain text, page by page as you read, and the app marks it as an adaptation. You choose between the two on this page.